Montana Brown, a former contestant on ITV2's Love Island, has urged people to be 'a little bit nicer, a little bit kinder' following the inquest into the death of her friend and fellow contestant Mike Thalassitis. The 26-year-old former footballer was found hanged in a park near his home in Enfield, north London, on 16 March.
Speaking outside North London coroner's court after a verdict of suicide was recorded, Brown said it was 'important to let his memory live on'. She added: 'It's such an awful world that we live in. It's just nice to be nice.'
The inquest heard that Thalassitis had left notes for family members, and a black notebook containing 'a diary, letters and positive thoughts' was found at the scene. Senior coroner Andrew Walker said the letters 'clearly set out his intention that his life should come to an end'. Toxicology reports revealed he had consumed alcohol and cocaine, with traces of prescription drugs including antidepressants also detected. The cause of death was cerebral hypoxia and hanging.
Thalassitis appeared on the 2017 series of Love Island and later on E4's Celebs Go Dating. His death follows that of Sophie Gradon, another Love Island contestant who died by suicide in June 2018. The tragedies have prompted scrutiny of aftercare for reality TV participants, with ITV vowing to offer more support.
Brown declined to comment on the support provided to contestants but said: 'I think it's important when someone dies in this way that you don't give up on the memory... I have definitely changed the way that I live my life and I urge others to do the same.'
